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7.4 — Long Answer Questions

Q.Describe the changes in endocrine system due to ageing.

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Ageing weakens the endocrine system through three main changes: poorer glucose tolerance, reduced thyroid output, and declining growth hormone secretion (somatopause).

Section 7.4 describes the endocrine system as a host gland producing chemical-messenger hormones that are carried through the blood to target organs, and explains three ways ageing affects it:

Impaired glucose tolerance. "Approximately 40% of individuals aged between 65 and 75 years and 50% of those older than age 80 have impaired glucose tolerance leading to Type 2 diabetes" - the body becomes progressively less able to regulate blood sugar effectively.

Thyroid dysfunction. This is common among the elderly, "primarily from lowered pituitary gland release of the thyroid-stimulating hormone thyrotropin (and reduced output of thyroxine)." Since thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, this directly affects glucose metabolism and protein synthesis - both slow down. …

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